Recently, in my attempts to learn Test Driven Development (TDD) I have found it necessary to pair with other more experienced programmers who can help me along in my journey to AltDotNet mastery. One tool that has really helped with this has been Microsoft SharedView. Microsoft SharedView is a desktop sharing application that allows up to 15 people to collaborate. Any of the 15 people can control the shared desktop, which is critical to making pairing a reality.
Microsoft SharedView is offered as a free download and utilized your Windows Live™ ID create and share sessions. I have really enjoyed the collaborative experience it has brought to these remote coding sessions.
I have also evaluated other offering such as RemoteX for Skype, but have found that when things go wrong we always fall back to SharedView.
I'd love to hear from others that have done virtual pairing and hear what you have used and how well it worked.
I was talking to Ray Lewallen, a colleague and mentor, and he mentioned that he is planning an ALT.NET Open Spaces in our region. I was very excited to hear this, I have been reading about the ALT.NET Open Spaces Conference and become very jealous that I didn't get to go. Now we will have our chance.
Ray stated that he is targeting mid July but hasn't confirmed a venue. I will be keeping track of this and making any info available as I find out. I hope Ray doesn't mind me calling every day to find out if anything is set yet ;-).
Attention User Group Leaders, INETA Volunteers, and Speakers! INETA would like to invite you to join us for a Mini-Summit on Monday June 2nd, 2008 at the Orlando Convention Center. We're going to be holding a somewhat informal gathering from 3-7 PM to provide user group leaders and chance to network, meet the new board members, and spend some quality time talking with us about community.
If you are planning to attend RSVP by emailing noram.communityactivities@ineta.org and they will send you the specific locations details as they become available.
The Northwest Arkansas .NET User Group will be hosting a Heroes Happen Here Community Launch event on June 3rd. This may be your last chance to get a launch kit. Supplies are limited so be sure to register early.
The Heroes Happen Here Community Launch events are local events sponsored by Microsoft to celebrate the release of Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008. This local event will have presentations for Visual Studio 2008, and SQL Server 2008.
So mark your calendar and make sure you don't miss this event.
I will update this post as soon as a registration link is available.
Hey I wanted to make sure everyone is aware that a new user group in Northwest Arkansa is about to have its first meeting. Please note that this is a lunch meeting!
The first ever NWASQL meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Pizza will be provided and there will be several drawings for Microsoft products and other prizes!
Primary Topic: What can we expect from SQL 2008? (Boyd Evert: Speaker)
Location: Connolly Consulting, 2703 SE Otis Corley Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712
Map: http://76.215.122.46/nwasql/directions.aspx
Agenda and details are available on www.nwasql.org
If you can please be sure to show up to support this new group! It's all about community!